Semaphore Finale (2016)

A special steam trip on 30th October 2016 to mark the passing of the last regularly used semaphore signals and traditional tablet working on the Translink network - at Castlerock.

Tour poster.

17/10/2016: The western end of the station with the Down starter semaphore. (E. Connolly)

17/10/2016: A close-up of the Down starter. (E. Connolly)

17/10/2016: The level crossing, signal cabin, footbridge and Up starter. (E. Connolly)

23/10/2016: The Down starter has been cleared for the 11:10 from Great Victoria Street. (A. Gray)

30/10/2016: An overview of the Castlerock cabin apparatus. (J.A. Cassells)

30/10/2016: The "train waiting" collar for placing on levers as a reminder. (J.A. Cassells)

30/10/2016: The Castlerock-Londonderry Tyer block instrument. (J.A. Cassells)

30/10/2016: The lever frame. (J.A. Cassells)

30/10/2016: Last steam train to hand over a section tablet on the old NCC. Actually, it was a paper ticket as the instrument had broken down and pilot working was in place.

30/10/2016: Signalman Kevin Brown operating the frame. (C. Playfair)

30/10/2016: Gary Moore cheerfully waits to uncouple No.85. (R. Craig)

30/10/2016: No.85 running round at Castlerock for the last time. (R. Joanes)

30/10/2016: No.85 through the barriers running round.

30/10/2016: No.85 running round on the Up loop. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: The Down starting signal. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: The Up home signal. A PW access site has already been started. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: Taking water in the Down loop. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: There was a great tunout of the local population to see the train. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: A never to be repeated crossing with an Up service train. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: A close-up of the Up starter. The Up platform will remain after the decommisioning. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: A line-up of NIR crew: Charlie Lewsley (Inspector), Seamus Scallon (ex Operations Manager), Gary Moore (Driver), Noel Playfair (Driver) and Signalman Kevin Brown. (Courtesy S. Scallon)

30/10/2016: No.85 departs Castlerock tender-first for Coleraine. (E. Connolly)

30/10/2016: And so to the turntable at Coleraine. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: Turned and slowly edging off the table. (A. Maxwell)

30/10/2016: Turned and ready to depart Coleriane for home. (R. Joanes)

30/10/2016: No.85 gets ready to depart for the run home. (A. Gray)

2/11/2016: Three days later, and no time has been wasted in lifting the Down line. (E. Connolly)

3/11/2016: The level crossing is being excavated. (E. Connolly)

8/11/2016: Ballasting after removal of loop turnout. (Translink)

8/11/2016: Removing the Up starting semaphore signal. Happy to say that this signal is now safe. (Translink)

23/8/2019: At least the Castlerock Up Starter has a good home.